Minnesota Trade Office acting executive director Ed Dieter tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/VBDYnz ) the strong showing bodes well for the state's manufacturers who were able to forge ahead in "significant headwinds."

Minnesota's top export is machinery, which generated $950 million in sales during the quarter. Medical instrument exports grew 17 percent to $813 million in sales.

China and Europe were top importers of Minnesota goods. Trade figures show sales to China totaled $632 million and were up 16 percent compared to the same quarter last year.